Cold Sanctuary (John Decker Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

Orleans.”
    “Big Easy, eh?” The skipper wiped a hand on his orange offshore jacket. “Never been outside Alaska myself, but I had a cousin went down there a few years back. He didn’t care for it. Not one little bit. Said it was too hot and muggy. Thought the whole place smelled like a toilet.”
    “Sorry about that,” Decker said, wishing the boat trip would end and he could step foot on dry, stable land once more. He gulped, hoping the action would relieve his discomfort, and leaned against the cabin’s wall.
    “His words, not mine.”
    “It’s fine.” Decker wiped his forehead with the palm of his hand and closed his eyes for a moment. It made things worse so he opened them again.
    “You’re looking a little green around the gills there, buddy.” Seth looked nervous. “You’re not going to up chuck all over my deck are you?”
    “I’m doing my best to avoid that outcome.” Decker looked through the front window and was pleased to see that they were nearing the dock. In another few moments he would be on terra firma, and then he could get some relief from the churnings in his stomach. “How do you do this every day?”
    “I’ve been around boats since I was in diapers.” The skipper chuckled. “Piloted my first tug at fifteen. The chop doesn’t bother me none.”
    “You’re lucky.” Decker reached out and gripped the rail.
    “Luck has nothing to do with it.” Seth spun the wheel to the left, turning the boat toward the dock. “Just takes time to get your sea legs, that’s all.”
    “I don’t think I have any sea legs.” Decker felt his stomach lurch as the boat rode a particularly large swell. He doubted he would ever get used to this. “My legs are definitely happier on land.”
    “You’re doing okay.” Seth pulled the throttle and slowed the boat. “I remember one guy, spent the whole trip with his head over the side, heaving. I tell you, I thought he was about to go and die on me, he looked so ill. Weren’t near as bad as it is today either.”
    “Lucky me.” They were coming alongside the dock now. Decker noticed a figure in a thick raincoat waiting there. He could tell it was a woman despite the hood that was pulled up over her head, obscuring her features. Apparently he had a welcoming committee.
    “Here you are then.” Seth turned to him. “This is where you boys get off.”
    “Right.” Decker reached down and grabbed his travel bag, which was sitting like an island in a pool of brackish water. He was thankful that the bag was waterproof, or his clothes might have been ruined, and he doubted there was a mall close by.
    “Son?” The skipper raised an eyebrow. “Are you going or not, because I don’t know how long I can hold us steady like this.”
    “Sorry.” Decker reached up and took hold of the dock, heaving himself from the boat with less grace that he would have liked. Just as he stepped up, the vessel bobbed sideways, threatening to deposit him into the swirling, freezing waters, but somehow he managed to keep his balance. The woman on the dock held her hand out. Decker took it and allowed her to pull him up, grateful to exit the boat.
    He turned around and offered his hand to the spectacle-clad stranger, helping him out of the swaying boat. No sooner had the man’s feet touched the dock than he pushed past Decker, mumbling an apology as he did so, and hurried toward a black pickup idling on the quay.
    “Nice guy.” Decker watched his travel companion climb into the passenger seat of the truck without a backward glance and slam the door.
    “Indeed.” The woman smiled, the wind whipping at her hood. “John Decker, I presume?”
    “The one and only.” Decker watched the boat pull away, a little concerned that his only escape from this barren plot of land at the end of the earth was chugging into the distance.
    “I’m Hayley Marsh.” The woman introduced herself. “The town administrator.”
    “Town?” Decker glanced around. All he could see were